A guide to leaving your pet at home alone

Holidays are a great time to get away and have fun. And when you get back home, whilst many of us will be excited to catch up with friends and colleagues, there will be concern about how your cat, dog or rabbit will cope with being alone throughout the day.

Naturally, being separated from the family when you return to work or school is going to be hard for your pet. And while it’s important to re-familiarise them with being home alone, you want to maintain the close and special bond between the two of you.

The best way for your pet to transition back to comfortably spending time alone is to start the adjustment process early, particularly with dogs. We’ve put together a helpful guide on how to get your pet used to being home alone when you return to work.

Step 1: Ease them into a new normal

We all love fussing over our cats, dogs and rabbit, but if they’re used to constant interaction and attention it’ll be harder for them when left at home alone. Begin by gradually reducing the amount of fuss you give them.

Step 2: Start leaving them alone in another room

It might sound mean, but leaving your pet alone in one room while you’re in another will help them get used to you not constantly being around. As you leave the room, don’t make a fuss. This will make it more obvious that you’re about to leave, which may lead to anxiety. Start by leaving them alone for a few minutes, providing their not exhibiting signs of stress or separation anxiety, and then gradually increase the length of time.

Giving your pet a ball, puzzle toy, lick mat or slow feeder can help keep them occupied, as well as help them to create a positive association with being left alone.

Step 3: Normalise leaving the house

Now your pet is comfortable being left alone in another room, you can begin to re-introduce signs that you’re about to leave. Start by interacting with things you usually take with you when you go to work, such as your car keys, bag or coat. This will help get your pet used to the idea that you will be leaving the house for a while, but it needn’t be stressful or a cause for anxiety.

Step 4: Start leaving your pet alone in the house

Now your pet is used to the idea you’re about leave, you can begin leaving them at home. Start with a short period of time, closing the door and standing outside for a few minutes before going back in. As they get used to this, gradually increase the duration you’re out of the house. Go for a walk down the road or a short drive around the block.

The important thing to remember is not to make a fuss when you leave. This draws attention to the fact you’re going and creates anticipation for when you return, which could lead to anxiety.

Dogs

If you’d like to give your dog further support when they’re left at home, you may wish to consider using a calming product. The Beaphar CaniComfort® Calming Range uses pheromone technology to reassure dogs during stressful situations. The products contain a synthetic copy of the Dog Appeasing Pheromone, which is instantly recognisable to all dogs and triggers an instinctive calming response.

If your dog tends to spend most of their time in a particular room, you could use the Beaphar CaniComfort® Calming Diffuser, which will fill the room with pheromones. Or, you may wish to fit your dog with our Beaphar CaniComfort® Calming Collar so the reassuring effect of the pheromones travels with them wherever they go.

The Beaphar CaniComfort® Calming Spray gives a continuous and reassuring message to let dogs know that their bedding is a safe and calm area for them to be in, lasting up to five hours.

The Beaphar CaniComfort® Calming Spot-On works quickly, once applied it will start creating a calming effect after around 15 minutes. This easy-to-use spot-on provides a long-lasting calming effect for up to one week.

Cats

Although cats are naturally solitary, and they may seem aloof around you, they can get separation anxiety too, particularly if they are an indoor patroller. The Beaphar CatComfort® Calming Range provides further support to your cat during stressful situations.

The Beaphar CatComfort® Calming Diffuser contains a synthetic copy of the Feline Facial Pheromone, which gives a continuous and reassuring message to let cats know that this is a safe area for them to be in. The easy-to-use plug-in diffuser can be placed in any area of the home and is effective for up to 30 days with continual use before needing a Beaphar CatComfort® Calming Diffuser Refill.

The ever-handy Beaphar CatComfort® Calming Spray is perfect for use anywhere around the home, and can be sprayed directly onto your cat's bedding, helping them to feel reassured. The spray lasts up to five hours and is ideal for helping to reduce problem behaviour in targeted areas in the home.

The Beaphar CatComfort® Calming Spot-On contains a copy of the Maternal Appeasing Pheromone, which is naturally produced by the queen when she nurses her kittens. Once applied, the spot-on works quickly and will start creating a calming effect after around 15 minutes. This easy-to-use spot-on provides a long-lasting calming effect for up to one week.

Rabbits

Rabbits are highly sensitive to change and due to them being prey animals, they are highly adept at hiding signs of stress and fear. Help to calm, comfort and reassure your rabbit by using Beaphar RabbitComfort® Calming Range, which contains a synthetic copy of the Rabbit Appeasing Pheromone, which is naturally produced by the doe when she nurses her kits.

The Beaphar RabbitComfort® Calming Diffuser gives a continuous and reassuring message to let rabbits know that this is a safe and calm area for them to be in. The easy-to-use plug-in diffuser can be placed in any area of the home and is effective for up to 30 days with continual use before needing a Beaphar RabbitComfort® Calming Diffuser Refill.

The pocket-sized Beaphar RabbitComfort® Calming Spray is perfect for use around the home or your rabbit’s hutch to reduce problem behaviour. This can be especially beneficial when there are changes to your rabbit's environment, such as families returning to work and school. The spray lasts up to five hours.

Helping your pet feel more relaxed being home alone will mean you feel more confident about going back to work and your cat, dog dog, cat or rabbit will be more comfortable.